MANUAL TRAINING AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.

Superintendent Higbee thinks that the sphere of the public schools embraces more than the ordinary studies-arithmetic, history, geography, writing, drawing, etc.-and that a certain amount of manual training and industrial education should be included; that the girls should be taught "household economy, embracing the nature and kinds of marketable foods, with the proper methods of their preservation and of their preparation for the table; a knowledge of textile fabrics and their construction into garments and decorations, the handling of the needle and sewing-machine, and information and practice referring to all that must ordinarily challenge a prudent and intelligent housewife;" that the boys should be instructed as to the different kinds of soil and their value for agriculture, and the proper treatment of the same; the different varieties of timber which our forests yield and the methods of their preparation for market; the handling of the ordinary tools which workers in wood and metals use, and the keeping of them in proper repair." He does not wish to be understood to say, however, that the schools should teach trades, turning out boys as printers, carpenters, shoemakers, etc. In the cities and larger towns manual training and industrial schools should be established, where those desiring to do so could pursue the course still further. Polytechnic instruction, also, should be introduced.

The Legislature, at its session in 1887, adopted the following resolution:

“Resolved, That the Governor is hereby authorized and requested to appoint a commission consisting of not more than five persons, citizens of this Commonwealth, to make inquiry and report to the Legislature at its next session, by bill or otherwise, respecting the subject of industrial education, including an examination of the extent to which it is already carried on in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the best means of promoting and maintaining it in its several grades, whether by State or local action alone, or by both combined; how far it is possible or desirable to incorporate it into the existing system of public instruction, the best method of training teachers for such schools or departments, and what changes, if any, are required in the existing system of normal schools to enable them to provide such training or to meet more fully the needs of the system of public instruction as new organized in this State, with such other inquiries as the commission may itself institute or be requested by the Governor to undertake. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses and clerk-hire actually incurred and approved by the Governor."

PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.

The introduction of the study of physiology and hygiene has been attended with no difficulties, but has met with much favor from both teachers and pupils. The instruction has been given mainly as a science, with special reference to the physical evils, little attention being given to the moral side of the question. In order to strengthen pupils in their determination to avoid the physical evils consequent upon intemperance, they should be instructed as to its moral and social evils also.

FREE TEXT-BOOKS.

School directors are authorized by law to furnish free text-books to their schools, if they see fit; and this authority is being exercised more and more every year, not only in the cities but in the rural districts as well; and it invariably gives general satisfaction. It is found to be more economical; it saves much time at the opening of schools, on account of pupils being supplied with books at once, and it secures a much larger attendance, as parents with large families are no longer frightened by thoughts of a long bill for school-books and stationery.

RHODE ISLAND.

[From Report for 1887-88 of State Superintendent Thomas B. Stockwell.]

GENERAL STATEMENTS.

The schools of Rhode Island are reported to be in a prosperous condition, well attended, taught by an unusually well qualified corps of teachers, and giving general satisfaction. Much interest in the practical questions of the schools is being manifested by the people, and a strong desire shown for their continued and increased prosperity.

There has been an unusually large increase in the number of graded schools, but the small district schools are gradually disappearing. The average length of the schools of the State is nine months and cleven days, an increase of one day over last year, which may be attributed to the increase in the number of graded schools, all of which have a session of forty weeks.

ATTENDANCE.

The percentage of attendance at all schools to the whole school population is 78.6, a decrease of 2.7 per cent. from last year. There were 4,667 children between the ages of seven and fifteen who did not attend any school, an increase of 436 over last year. The increase in the average number belonging and in the average attendance did not correspond to the increase in the number of pupils enrolled. This is accounted for, to some extent, by the children being kept at home during the prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria, or other contagious diseases; the enforcement of the law requiring the attendance of children at school for twelve weeks also tends to diminish the average attendance for the year of the number of pupils enrolled, many of them leaving school as soon as the compulsory term has expired.

When we consider the large amount of money spent upon the public schools of the State, and the efforts made to render them attractive and profitable, it is greatly to be regretted that, on account of the indifference of parents and the selfishness of employers, so many children do not avail themselves of their great opportunities. The truant law should therefore be more rigidly enforced, and the children should be required to attend twenty weeks instead of twelve. "In the forty weeks spent in the workshops, children forget what they have learned and go back to school to begin over again the lessons of the year before. Discouraged, listless, old before their time, they grow up to manhood and womanhood with no adequate conception of their life's work." It is thought that if the appointment of truant officers was made by the State board of education or some central authority, instead of being given as a reward for party service as at present, the law would be more strictly enforced.

TEACHERS.

The total number of teachers employed was 1,338, of whom only 170 were males. The number of male teachers is growing gradually less, a fact much to be regretted and avoided if possible, not because men are necessarily better teachers than women, but because both sexes should be employed, each having characteristics not possessed by the other. The two types of mind and heart are distinct and were designed to have their combined effect on the youthful character. Any scheme of education and training that leaves out either is defective and can not secure that symmetrical development which is possible under the other plan.

There was an increased number of teachers who had received their education at colleges and universities and particularly at the normal school. This indicates that the teachers were better qualified to discharge their work successfully and satisfactorily. One serious obstacle to effective work, however, is the frequent change of teachers, onefourth of the whole number holding new positions. The most of these changes were in the small schools, where the qualifications of teachers are not accurately determined.

FINANCES.

The total amount raised for schools was $930,840.25, an increase over the previous year of $86,615.09. By the late amendment to the Constitution of the State the registry tax is abolished. The income from this source last year was $19,773.15, and the school fands hereafter will be about that much less than heretofore, unless provision is made for supplying the deficiency.

In reckoning the cost of instruction some interesting facts appear. Though we have paid some $13,000 more for teachers' wages than last year, we have reduced the cost on the enrolment 37 cents per head, and on the average attendance 19 cents, while a single month's instruction for each pupil remains the same as last year.

EVENING SCHOOLS.

These have succeeded well and have accomplished much good for many who from different causes failed to secure an education during their childhood. It was mainly for such persons as these that evening schools were established, and they should not be opened to those who have the opportunity of attending the day schools. The evening schools of the last year had shorter terms and older pupils than formerly. Their success should not be estimated by the number of pupils attending them, for in many cases a large number of pupils is the cause of failure. Evening schools have succeeded best in those places where they have been longest established, especially where provision has been made for meeting the wants of older pupils, such as instruction in book-keeping, mechanical drawing, etc. The cost of evening schools is somewhat greater than that of day schools, but it should be remembered that night work in any business or trade costs more than similar work done in the day.

HIGH SCHOOLS.

There are now ten high schools established in as many different towns, besides two that are supported by tuition. Three of these have been lately established, and another town has erected a building for a high school and will soon have it in operation. This shows that the people are no longer content with a knowledge of the three "R's" simply, or even with the curriculum of the modern grammar school.

In addition to the direct benefits that arise from the establishment of a high school, there are some indirect advantages. As the teachers of a town are usually selected from its residents, by advancing the standard of education in a town there results the employment of more highly educated teachers. It establishes, too, a higher mark or degree of attainment to which pupils will aspire before finally quitting school.

The establishment and successful maintenance of a high school by the small town of Barrington, which has only five district schools to rely upon for its high-school pupils, shows that high schools might easily be established in many other places where they are not found, and where the children are deprived of all higher education.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

During the last few years many private schools have been established, and in some of the large manufacturing towns the enrolment of the private schools rivals that of the public schools. As to what is taught in them, how much and how well, it is difficult The State board of education thinks that a list of studies should be prescribed for all schools in the State, both public and private, and that supervisors should be appointed to visit and report upon them.

to say.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

There are now thirty-eight free libraries in the State, containing 144,269 volumes. It is estimated that eighty per cent. of the population are in reach of a library, and when a few more shall have been established the State will be able to claim the distinction which possibly no other can claim, that free schools and free libraries have been placed within the reach of the entire population. The public libraries serve the very important purpose of harmonizing and unifying the heterogeneous mass of people gathered into the State.

POLITICAL FUNCTION OF THE SCHOOLS.

One of the prime objects in the establishment of the public schools is the preservation of a republican form by government by educating the masses of the people and thereby enabling them fully to understand their rights and to maintain them. To assist in this, the pupils should be thoroughly instructed as to the American system of government, as to American statesmen, inventors, generals, and other celebrated men, so that, although their parents may continue to cherish the fondest affection for their native land, the children shall be fully imbued with the ideas and sentiments of this country.

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

The State board of education claims that industrial training must be given a place in the public schools, not that it should supplant anything, but that it should be made supplementary to the regular course. This kind of instruction is particularly needed now, since apprenticeships are no longer in vogue.

The State superintendent thinks that this want can be met to a large extent by giving instruction in the natural and physical sciences. "In the upper grades of our grammar schools and in the high schools, if physics were taught experimentally, the pupil would acquire from a thorough course in that study all that aptitude for handling tools, that acquaintance with the nature and uses of different kinds of materials, that opportunity for the development of whatever latent inventive genius there may be, which are claimed to be the real benefits to be secured from manual training."

Geology, mineralogy, botany, and zoology are already included in the course, and it is only necessary to modify the methods of instruction in them to meet, to a large extent, the demands for manual instruction.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

The State superintendent thinks that the time has come when the district system of conducting the schools should be abolished, and he cites a number of disadvantages arising from it: such as, placing the expenditure of a large amount of money in the hands of a scattered body of persons whose principal aim sometimes is "to use up the money;" frequently the poorest teacher of a town is paid more than the best; a school is sometimes closed for months because of the wilfulness of a trustee who can not secure the appointment of the teacher whom he desires, or because the school building is no longer fit for occupancy and the voters refuse to make the necessary improvements.

It is also recommended that a minimum standard of qualifications should be required of all teachers. At present no standard whatever is established, but it is left to each town committee to determine for itself what attainments shall be required. In some towas the teacher is required to be thoroughly qualified, while in others the committee is sati-lied with recommendations and promises. It is not recommended that the State determine the degree of education exacted, but that it shall require that every teacher shall at least reach a minimum standard, leaving it to each town committee to say how much higher the standard shall be raised.

ARBOR DAY.

An act was passed by the Legislature in January, 1887, making such day as may be appointed by the Governor "Arbor Day" a holiday.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

[From Report for 1887-88 of State Superintendent James H. Ricc.]

GENERAL CONDITION.

The report of the State superintendent for the year 1887-88 acquires additional interest from the fact that it is not founded alone upon reports made to him by the school commissioners of the different counties, but to a large extent upon his personal observation, as he visited during the year every county in the State, met with the teachers and trustees of many districts, and in many towns delivered addresses upon educational subjects.

The public free schools are meeting with more favor each succeeding year, and the people are manifesting their interest in them by their efforts in many ways to improve them. Large and comfortable school buildings have been erected in many towns and local taxes voted to supplement the regular school tax imposed by the State. It is claimed that during the last two years more money has been expended in the erection of good school buildings than in any similar period in the history of the State. Special mention is made of those erected in Greenville, Spartanburg, Winnsborough, and Rock Hill.

The enrolment of pupils shows a large increase; the total number being 193,434, an increase of 18,417 over that of the preceding year. The average attendance also shows a large increase, being 139,557; an increase of 14,036. It is unfortunate that these favorable statements should be offset to some extent by the unfavorable one that the average duration of the public schools was only three and six-tenths months. It should be remembered, however, that in many of the larger towns and prosperous districts the schools are continued for eight or ten months by local taxation or private subscriptions. The State superintendent recommends that the Legislature enact a general law allowing all school districts to levy a local tax to supplement the amount received from the general State fund.

TEXT-BOOKS.

The law requires the State board of examiners every five years to make a selection of text-books to be used in the public schools. Accordingly in September, 1888, the board met and

"Resolved, That the peculiar condition of affairs in this State, by reason of which not only in each county but in each school district there are teachers and pupils of different classes and races possessing different capacities to teach, learn, and purchase books, it would be injurious to educational interest to adopt a single list of text-books for the State."

"In order to secure flexibility in the system and to meet the varying wants of the schools, and at the same time to prevent frequent changes in text-books in a school, which impose vexatious and unnecessary expense upon parents," the board adopted several series of text-books, from which the county boards were allowed to select a single series for their respective counties. Any teacher refusing to use the books adopted forfeited his pay from the public school fund.

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.

Much prejudice exists against the office of county school commissioner, which can be explained to a large extent by the perfunctory manner in which the officer discharges his duties and by his manifesting a Zeal only in collecting his salary. It is thought, however, that to abolish the office would be a fatal mistake, but efforts should be made to inCrease the efficiency of the office. "The law requires this officer to examine every teacher, and yet it allows any man who can get the votes to fill the office, when, as a matter of

fact, he can not, in many instances, examine a single teacher. This is a blunder and worse than a crime." It is recommended that, after the selection by the voters, the man selected should be required to stand an examination before the State board of examiners, and if he fail to pass a satisfactory examination the office be filled by appointment. It is especially important that the office be filled by one thoroughly competent to superintend the schools of the county, as the people, on account of their poverty, are unable to send their children from home to be educated.

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

"There is quite a demand for industrial training schools. These must be built on special foundations or the experiments made by the schools of the larger towns. We can not add such features to our three months' free schools. It is greatly to be desired that private benevolence would furnish at least one model. Our boys and girls would fill such an institution, and soon they would be multiplied."

TENNESSEE.

[From Report for 1886-87 of State Superintendent Frank M. Smith.]

APPRECIATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

There is practically no opposition in the State to the public schools; but, on the contrary, the people appreciate fully the great advantages conferred by them, and are demanding that the school term be lengthened, and that the schools be improved in other ways. The county courts, too, are making more liberal appropriations in behalf of them.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

The schools districts are identical with the civil districts; and, according to the law, no authorities except the county courts have the power to establish new districts; but, by a misunderstanding of the law, school directors have in many instances divided their districts into quite a number of smaller districts. As a consequence there are in some cases as many as two hundred districts where there should not be more than twenty. This tends to greatly weaken the efficiency of the schools, for instead of having two or three schools with several teachers and two or three hundred pupils properly graded into different classes, there are found a number of small schools struggling for a bare existence and in which all the grades are taught.

In order to prevent oue school in a district from being overcrowded with pupils while the others have a very small number, the directors are authorized to say which school different pupils shall attend; but all the schools in a district must be maintained the same number of days, and when the public funds are not sufficient to keep up the schools for five months, the county courts shall either levy an additional tax for the purpose or submit the proposition to a vote of the people.

DIRECTORS.

One school director is elected annually on the first Thursday in August, to hold office for a term of three years. If a vacancy occurs at any time the remaining two directors appoint one to serve out the unexpired term.

TEXT-BOOKS.

Only the district directors have the power to adopt a series of text-books, but the directors of a county may meet together and adopt a common series, but their action shall not be binding on the directors of any district who wish to adopt different ones. County superintendents have no authority to adopt text-books for the county.

CONVENTION OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.

A convention of county superintendents was held in Nashville on the 6th of December, and proved to be a very interesting and important meeting. Subjects pertaining to the educational condition and improvements were considered, and such an interest was manifested in the proceedings that it was resolved to hold an annual meeting in Nashville on the second Tuesday of December, and that all school officers and teachers might become members.

NEW LEGISLATION.

Arbor Day established.-The Legislature, in March, 1887, made it the duty of the county superintendents to set apart annually some day in November as "Arbor Day," when the pupils of each school, under the supervision of the teacher, should set out trees around the school buildings and otherwise improve and beautify the appearance of the grounds,